Extending the Law on Reasonable Force – Motorbike Offenders

The UK Law as it currently stands, “A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.

So, is it reasonable to use a Police car to stop an offender riding a motorbike?

Reasonable force in most situation is focused on the incident within which force was used. In cases of domestic violence, a history of previous abuse against a victim is often presented in evidence to justify the actions of the abused person should they be prosecuted for murder or assault.

I believe that the law should be amended to include a provision to ‘Extend Reasonable force’ to include: –

Historic evidence of the impact on victims of similar motorbike related crimes.

A realisation that unless the offender is apprehended, they pose an ongoing risk to the safety of others.

The wider effect on society as a whole if the police are seen to be unable to stop certain types of criminal behaviour by offenders seeking to avoid arrest by deliberately making themselves vulnerable to injury.

Using a vehicle to stop a motorbike offender clearly presents a risk to the offender, but that is their choice.

Are the police really expected to give motorbike offenders a ‘Get out of Jail free’ card, by not pursuing them?